“I’m excited because the village is really growing with all the different things that are going on within the city. We’re getting more home ownership in the village, and people are restoring houses. It’s just a fabulous thing to see,” said Ann Dennett, longtime chair of the German Village Christmas Walk. She’s co-chairing the event with Sheryl Silber, owner of reZen.
Dennett said one new thing this year is the Twelve Days of Christmas Scavenger Hunt. To participate, pick up entry forms from noon to 4 p.m. at Lane Public Library, Butler County Historical Museum and William C. Wilks Carriage House.
The Cincinnati Christian Worship Choir, directed by Erika Sammond, will perform this year on the porch of the Butler County United Way building. Fifteen-minute performances will be at 3 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.
The German Village Christmas Walk will offer a variety of holiday-themed festivities including food, crafts, horse-drawn carriage rides, strolling musicians and reindeer. Plus, German Village will be decorated as part of the annual tradition. Guests can also purchase holiday gifts from crafters, who will be on display throughout the walk, at William C. Wilks Carriage House, Butler County Historical Museum and at 342 N. Third St.
“I love seeing everyone walking through the village, having a good time. It’s just a great day. It’s a day like every day should be,” Dennett said.
The German Village Christmas Walk will include tours of private homes, businesses and the historical buildings, including the Lane Hooven House, St. Julie Billiart Catholic Parish, Wilks Insurance, Butler County Historical Museum, Lane Public Library, YWCA and the William C. Wilks Carriage House, among others. The newly re-opened A Game Knight will also be open during the Christmas Walk.
There are 27 different stops this year. The first Christmas Walk had 13. German Village is a nine square-block area that goes from Dayton Street to Hensel Place. Some of the buildings in German Village date back to the 1830s.
Other highlights will include a 4 p.m. choir concert at St. Julie Billiart Catholic Parish. Self-guided tours of the parish will be available from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Horse-drawn carriage rides will be available from noon to 4:30 p.m. There will be a blacksmith demonstration at the 100 Block of Village Street from noon to 5 p.m. Yuletide Brass, a quartet of strolling musicians in Dickens-era attire, will perform from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Musicians from Hamilton High School will perform at the Butler County Historical Museum from 4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Joyful Noise will also perform at the Butler County Historical Museum from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The Clark and Jones Trio will be at Lane Public Library from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and the Chris Comer Trio will perform at the library from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additional live entertainment will be featured at various locations throughout the day.
The YWCA will host the 5th Annual Gingerbread House Contest with a number of Gingerbread Houses on display. St. Julie Billiart Alter Rosary Society will also host a bake sale at the YWCA from noon to 4 p.m. Celtic Aire will perform there from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Children’s activities will include reindeer from Whitetail Acres & Deer Farm from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Santa Claus will be greeting children in the Emma Ritchie Auditorium at the Butler County Historical Society from noon to 5 p.m. Children can create their own Santa hats or Gingerbread ornaments at the Lane Public Library. There will be a face painter, Faces by Lisa, at Wilks Insurance from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Dave the Balloon Guy will be at Friends on Third Salon from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
HOW TO GO
What: 28th Annual German Village Christmas Walk
When: Sunday, Dec. 1, noon to 5 p.m.
Where: Hamilton's German Village Historic District
Cost: Free, includes all activities and entertainment. Items are available for purchase.
More info: Brochures with a map and a schedule of events will be available at the event.
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